1. In countries in which VAT is charged at a number of different rates, the rate in the table is the highest rate.
2. The rates in the Table do not include Local tax, if it exists.
3. Social security rates are the highest rates. Unlike income tax social security contributions are generally imposed on income up to a ceiling.

Tax and Business News 2017

Nigeria Singapore Tax TreatyNigeria and Singapore signed on August 2, 2017 a double tax treaty, DTA. According to the DTA a flat 7.5% tax withholding rate will apply to dividends, interest and royalties. August 2017.

Switzerland Belgium Tax TreatyThe 2014 double tax treaty, DTA, between the two countries entered into force on July 19, 2017 applying from January 1, 2018. August 2017.

Argentina Mexico Tax TreatyThe 2015 double tax treaty, DTA, between the two countries will enter into force on August 23, 2017 applying from January 1, 2018.The DTA includes reduced tax withholding rates for payments of dividends, interest and royalties. August 2017.

Japan Latvia Tax TreatyThe double tax treaty, DTA, between the two countries entered into force on July 5, 2017 applying from January 1, 2018. July 2017.

India Mauritius Tax TreatyThe 2016 double tax treaty, DTA, between the two countries applies in Mauritius from July 1, 2017. The DTA includes reduced tax withholding rates for payments of dividends, interest, royalties and technical fees. July 2017.

Lithuania Japan Tax TreatyThe two countries signed on July 13, 2017 a double tax treaty, DTA. According to the DTA there are reduced tax withholding rates for payments of dividends and interest. July 2017.

China GDP GrowthThe Chinese economy expanded in the second quarter of 2017 at an annual 6.9% rate ,same growth as in the first quarter. The preliminary forecast was a growth of 6.8%.July 2017.

Sweden Armenia Tax TreatyThe 2016 double tax treaty, DTA, entered into force on June 1, 2017 applying from January 1, 2018. The DTA includes reduced tax withholding rates for payments of dividends and royalties. July 2017.

Cyprus Luxembourg Tax TreatyCyprus and Luxembourg signed on May 8, 2017 a double tax treaty, DTA. According to the DTA the tax withholding rate for payment of dividends is 0%/5% depending on the percentage of holding by the recipient. June 2017.

Turkey Somalia Tax TreatyTurkey and Somalia signed on June 3, 2017 a double tax treaty, DTA. The DTA includes reduced tax withholding rates for payments of dividends, interest and royalties. June 2017.

Greece EU LoanThe EU finance ministers and the IMF agreed on June 15,2017 to grant Greece loans of 8.5 billion euros enabling Greece to repay its loan due in July. June 2017.

U.S. Interest Rate RiseThe federal reserve raised on June 14, 2017 the short term interest rates from 1% to 1.25%, the third rise since last December. June 2017.

China Credit Rating DowngradeMoody's credit rating agency downgraded on May 24, 2017 China's credit rating by one step, from Aa3 to Ai. China's outlook was raised from negative to stable. May 2017.

Czech Republic Ghana Tax TreatyThe two countries signed on April 11, 2017 a double tax treaty, DTA. The tax withholding rates according to the DTA are 6% for dividends, 0%/10% for interest and 8% for royalties. May 2017.

UAE Slovakia Tax TreatyThe double tax treaty, DTA, which was signed between the two countries in 2015 entered into force on April 1, 2017 applying from January 1, 2018. May 2017.

U.S. April Job ReportThe U.S. labor department reported on May 5, 2017 that 211,000 new jobs were added in April compared to a forecast of only 190,000 new jobs. The unemployment rate decreased from 4.5% to 4.4% the lowest since May 2007. May 2017.

Slovenia Corporate TaxStarting January 1, 2017 the new corporate income tax rate is 19% increased from 10% in 2016. April 2017.

Italy Corporate TaxStarting January 1, 2017 the new corporate income tax rate, IRES, is 24% reduced from previous 27.5% rate. April 2017.

Norway Corporate TaxStaring January 1, 2017 the new corporate income tax rate in Norway is 24% reduced from 25% in 2016. The rate is expected to be further reduced to 23% in 2018. April 2017.

U.S February Job ReportThe U.S. labor department reported on March 10, 2017 that 235,000 new jobs were added in February. The unemployment rate in February decreased from 4.8% to 4.7%. March 2017.

U.S. Interest Rate RiseThe federal reserve increased on March 15, 2017 the interest rate by 0.25% to a range of 0.75% to 1.0%. The rise is the first in 2017.

Romania V.A.T. CutStarting January 1, 2017 the new standard V.A.T. rate in Romania is 19% reduced from 20%. February 2017.

Hong Kong Pakistan Tax TreatyThe two countries signed on February 17, 2017 a double tax treaty, DTA. The tax withholding rates are 10% for payments of dividends, interest and royalties. February 2017.

Slovakia Armenia Tax TreatyThe 2015 double tax treaty, DTA, between the two countries entered into force on February 1, 2017 applying from January 1, 2018. February 2017.

U.K. InflationThe consumer prices index, CPI, in the U.K. rose by 1.8% in the year to January 2017 compared to 1.6% in the year to December 2016. February 2017.

U.S. January Job ReportThe labor department reported on February 3, 2017 that 227,000 new jobs were added to the American economy in January compared to a forecast of only 175,000 new jobs. The unemployment rate rose from 4.7% to 4.8%. February 2017.

History of Taxation

Introduction

Tax has an extremely long-established history. The ancient Egyptians appointed Tax Masters who increased the burden on the Children of Israel - slaves under Egyptian domination. As a general rule, tax is the source that is best exploited by government. It is imposed on individuals and companies to finance services that the State is obligated to provide and to meet its goals....More info

The following pages attempt to give a brief summary of the principles of double entry bookkeeping. After reading the material you will find that the "bogey" is not that bad.

The Development of Bookkeeping.

In each area of life, techniques are developed and inventions made to answer the problems that arise therein. Thus, for example, the invention of the "airplane" provided an answer to the problem of reducing travel time between distant cities. The discovery of "canned foods" on the other hand gave an answer to the need to keep food fresh for long periods. This is similar to what happened with bookkeeping, in that it answered the severe problems that arose in managing modern commerce. More info...

Quote and Chart SearchYou can search for stocks, futures,and forex by symbol or name.

Note: The information in this site is for general guidance only. Users of this site are advised to take professional advice before taking practical tax decisions.Please read our terms of service before entering this site.